Monitoring system

Abstract

A monitoring system equipped with imaging devices for imaging a monitoring region. Each of the imaging devices has storage device for storing image information. A unique identification number (ID) for identifying a picked-up image is assigned to each of the imaging devices. The picked-up image is retrieved, together with the associated ID, from the storage device by detaching the storage device or accessing the storage device in a non-contact manner.

Description

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE [0001] The present application claims priority from Japanese application JP 2003-394871 filed on Nov. 26, 2003, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference into this application. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a monitoring system for monitoring security in cities. [0003] JP-A-2002-298260 describes an example of a crime prevention camera system for effecting improvement in the security in cities. According to this publication, a plurality of crime prevention devices each equipped with an emergency alarm including an illumination light, an emergency calling switch, and a crime prevention camera are connected over a network. This arrangement makes it possible to early discover and prevent an incident by a molester or a stalker. [0004] Other example of the crime prevention camera system for securing the security in cities is described in JP-A-2003-109155. The system in this publication monitors a wide range whi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a monitoring system that takes privacy protection into consideration, easily and at low cost. The system includes multiple imaging means with unique identification numbers and storage means for storing the images captured by each imaging means. The system can retrieve and analyze the images without contact, and can also transmit the images and identification numbers between the imaging means. The imaging means can start imaging when a voice at a predetermined volume level or higher is input. The system can also include dummy imaging means for blending in with the real ones. The technical effects of the invention are improved privacy protection, efficient and low-cost monitoring, and improved image retrieval and analysis.

Problems solved by technology

The crime prevention camera itself, however, is large, so that an enormous cost for installation is required.

Further, since a network connection is necessary for notifying information on actuation of the alarm device and a monitoring device for confirming the situation of an incident is required, the overall system becomes large, so that the costs such as the cost for installation work and the management cost increase.

When the costs increase, the number of crime prevention cameras is limited.

Further, the region for monitoring becomes restricted, and blind spots in the monitoring region increase.

Further, since the crime prevention camera is connected to the monitoring device, a feeling of discomfort of being always monitored is given to passengers.

The crime prevention camera, once installed, is not easy to move, so that the systems of the prior art cannot flexibly accommodate a change in a surrounding environment.

Images